THIEVES were spotted trying to steal about 100 gallons of fuel from Basildon Council bin lorries.

Cops were called to the Barleylands Depot, in Billericay, after an eagle-eyed security guard spotted the team of thieves on CCTV.

When officers arrived, they found the crooks had dumped 20 five-gallon barrels of fuel near a hole they had cut in to the perimeter fence.

The police helicopter was launched and officers scoured the area,but failed to catch the gang.

John Dornan, councillor responsible for environment, said: “We have had thefts from thedepotbefore and have really beefed up our security with motion sensors and CCTV.

The 100 gallons of fuel could fill up a Ford Fiesta about ten times over and would cost about £598 at the pumps.